Nurse strike avoided with agreement

LORAIN -- Registered nurses at Mercy Regional Medical Center will not be going on strike after voting in favor of a new three-year contract last night.

The 540 nurses represented by Service Employees International Union District 1199 met throughout the day yesterday to vote on ratification of an agreement decided on during negotiations Thursday.

As the members approved the contract, a scheduled strike to begin at noon Friday will not happen.

"The registered nurses at Mercy Regional Medical Center care about the patients this hospital serves and this new agreement ins a testimony to their devotion to this community and to their professions," stated Al Bacon, secretary-treasurer of SEIU District 1199. "This contract is a product of cooperation by the nurses and the hospital in the interest of patient care."

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"The countless calls, emails and demonstration of solidarity from patients, clergy and labor were an inspiration to the hard-working caregivers at the hospital," he added.

Mercy and SEIU have met regularly since June and began moderated bargaining sessions after the nurses' contract expired Aug. 31.

"We are pleased that both parties could collaborate and reach an agreement," stated Edwin Oley, president and CEO of Mercy. "Our nurses are a crucial part of the Mercy team, and the care they provide to our patients is second to none. We believe this contract is fair, balances the needs of our nurses and hospital for the long term, and is in the best interests of our patients and community."

The details of the three-year collective bargaining agreement are confidential. SEIU stated that nurses feel the contract will allow them to "continue to provide top-level, quality care to the community and maintain dignity, rights and respect at the hospital."

"This wasn't about winning or losing," Oley stated. "It was an opportunity for a great hospital and great caregivers to collaborate. While we may not always agree, our interests are aligned with the ultimate goal being the best place to receive care."